Safety checklist — Blasting / Rock drilling
Drilling, blasting and shooting in rocky terrain. Compliant with Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before work
13 items- ✓
Blasting permit obtained and blast plan approved by engineerCritical
ℹ️ CSTC art. 4.3 — blasting plan mandatory, signed by engineer
- ✓
Certified blaster present on site (valid competency card)Critical
ℹ️ Only a certified blaster may handle explosives (CSTC art. 4.2)
- ✓
Safety perimeter established and marked per blast plan
- ✓
Warning given to workers and neighbors — siren/horn
- ✓
Explosives stored per regulations — proper distance and magazine
- ✓
Check for thunderstorms — no blasting if lightning riskCritical
ℹ️ Lightning = spontaneous detonation — mandatory stop if storm < 10 km
- ✓
PPE worn: hard hat, ballistic glasses, hearing protection, hi-vis vest
- ✓
Radio/communication functional between blaster and sentries
- ✓
All personnel evacuated beyond perimeter BEFORE detonation
- ✓
Sentries posted at every access to prevent entry
- ✓
Detonation sound signal given (code: 3 long blasts)
- ✓
Blaster verifies all holes fired after the blast
- ✓
Minimum wait before returning to zone — time per explosive type
After work
5 items- ✓
Zone inspected — identify misfiresCritical
ℹ️ Misfire = unexploded charge still in place — extreme danger
- ✓
Misfires handled only by blaster per procedure
- ✓
Unused explosives returned to magazine — inventory updated
- ✓
All-clear signal given — return to zone authorized
- ✓
Blasting report completed and filed (date, quantities, results)
More checklists — Heavy Work
More safety checklists
Risks and prevention — Blasting and rock drilling
Blasting is one of the most regulated construction activities. In Québec, the CSTC and the Explosives Act govern transportation, storage, handling, and use of explosives. Only certified blasters may perform shots.
The safety perimeter must be calculated based on charge, geology, and proximity to structures. Warning signals (sirens) must precede each blast. Re-entry delays must follow the explosives manufacturer's procedures.
Rock drilling generates significant noise and dust. Hearing protection is mandatory, and hole dedusting is critical for safe explosive loading.
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